Who Is Bob McDonald, Proposed To Lead Veterans Affairs?

The White House is billing former CEO Bob McDonald as a transformational leader to guide the scandal-ridden Department of Veteran Affairs through some of its worst times. We take a look at the man picked to hold a job that used to be reserved for military top brass. The man who once made big bucks selling Tide laundry detergent and Crest toothpaste was a surprise pick as the new VA chief. "At the VA, the veteran is our customer, and we must all focus all day, every day, on getting them the benefits and the care that they've so earned," says Bob McDonald. Bob McDonald graduated top of his class at West Point and served five years in the Army, which the president underscored while talking about him. "Let me state the obvious, this is not going to be easy assignment. Bob knows that," President Barack Obama said. "But, like any Army Airborne Ranger, Bob has a reputation for being ready and jumping into tough situations, taking charge and going all the way." Still, McDonald is best known for his career leading Proctor and Gamble. His common sense approach to business and innovation is laid out in this video now on YouTube. "Where to play, how to win what to do, and, importantly, what not to do." The choice of McDonald may also be a political plus for the White House in its dealings with congressional critics. He's donated to Republicans, including Mitt Romney and House Speaker John Boehner/ And, he's registered as a Republican. McDonald's former company is headquartered in Boehner's hometown of Cincinnati. Boehner's been a harsh critic of the administration's VA problems, but he praised McDonald in a statement. The White House is hoping McDonald can even appease people on the hill who are calling for heads to roll at the VA. "And there are some important changes that need to be made to ensure that that important work is actually getting done," says White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. "And so having somebody that has experience in the military, has strong bipartisan support for taking the job, and has a proven track record of implementing changes in large organizations, to great effect, makes him the right choice for this task." Paul Rieckhoff, Chief Executive of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said he had mixed feelings about the choice. "He doesn't come from the military, he doesn't come from the health care community, he doesn't come from inside the VA," Rieckhoff. "So he is not a name that was on anyone's radar. But look we need a turnaround artist. And if he's got experience that can help turn around the VA then that's exactly what we're gonna need. Because the trust is broken."